A Kiss At Midnight by Eloisa James

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A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

ISBN: 978-0-06-162684-5

Release: July 27, 2010

Publisher: Avon Historical

Source: I bought this book to read and review

Blurb:

Miss Kate Daltry doesn’t believe in fairy tales…or happily every after.

Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince…and decides he’s anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman – a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfill his ruthless ambitions.

Gabriel likes his fiancee, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn’t love her. Obviously, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.

Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after.

Unless a prince throws everything that makes him noble…..

Unless a dowry of an unruly heart trumps a fortune….

Unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything.

* * *

I was so excited when I finished this book that I signed on to Facebook and told the author that I loved the book – that I laughed, and cheered and cried! I think that this is the first time that I have been so overtaken by a book that I felt the need to tell the author how much I enjoyed the book – immediately!

I got a copy of this book when I went to the romance author’s tea in Bellevue, WA at the beginning of January. This event cost $5.00 and the ticket served as a $5.00 off coupon for the purchase of a book at the event. Since I had purchased 2 tickets, I had to buy 3 books. Makes sense, right?

Anyways, I was standing at this event listening to the authors talk about books that they have written and I have loved reading. It suddenly occurred to me that it had been too long since I had read one of Eloisa James’s stories. I have some catching up to do, it seems! I picked up A Kiss at Midnight mainly because I have a thing about Cinderella and this book seemed to call to me.

Kate Daltry is the Cinderella in this story. Her father remarried after her mother died and Kate acquired a stepmother and a step sister. Shortly after the marriage, her father died, and Kate becomes the person of all work. Her stepmother fires alot of the staff, making Kate do the things that they did. She seems to be an overly indolent and self-indulgent sort. Kate’s step sister, Victoria is engaged, but in order for the marriage to go ahead, she needs to meet her fiance Algie’s relative Prince Gabriel. The problem is that one of Victoria’s dogs has bitten her lip leaving an infected sore. The stepmother decides that Kate must go in Victoria’s place. Although Kate protests, she finds herself on her way to meet a prince. The first meeting with the prince does not go well. They seem to clash. The prince has been told that Victoria is the debutante of the season. She is the incomparable. So she has been nicknamed “The Golden Fleece”. The prince is not impressed. He has quite the conversation with his majordomo about how skinny and unattractive she is. When sitting beside him that night at dinner he seems to poke fun at her to get a reaction out of her. This is the start of a heated relationship that can seemingly go nowhere. The Prince is engaged to a Russian Princess who is due to arrive any day.

I’m not sure where to start to describe what I liked about this story. Eloisa claims that she isn’t very funny and has to work at it. I must say that this book will have you laughing out loud! There are many little sections that catch the reader unawares. I found myself going back to re-read to see if she really did say THAT! The interaction between the Prince and Kate is delightful! They set sparks off one another, they challenge each other and they suit one another. But he is engage to another woman – this keeps coming up – what will happen to the other woman? We know the story of Cinderella – she marries her prince – but this prince is engaged already!

The chemistry between the main characters will steam your glasses. The story is delightful; it will have you laughing, crying and cheering repeatedly. It is however, a story that requires your attention. It is full of detail and characters. It isn’t a light and fluffy read that can be skimmed. You need to pay attention to this book to follow the story properly.

Now that I’ve blithered on about how wonderful I think this book is. It’s time for you to pick up your copy!

A Kiss At Midnight is available at Amazon